Evelyn Hingsberger

Evelyn Irene Hingsberger, age 78, after living courageously with kidney disease, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester , Minnesota surrounded by family. Evelyn was a beautiful, kind and strong woman, deeply devoted to her family and friends. She had a smile that was infectious and that would light up a room.

Evelyn Irene Tapp was born January 18, 1930 in St. Paul , Minnesota to James and Ethel (Barnicoat) Tapp. She had one brother, James, who predeceased her. She attended Wilson High School in St. Paul .

On June 25, 1948, Evelyn married Victor Colton. During their 25 years of marriage they had six children: Kathy, Tom, John, Patty, Jim and Judy. Later, she would continue to raise her children as a single mother. Remarrying in 1984, she enjoyed a life with her second husband, William Hingsberger, who passed away in 1992.

Evelyn began her career as a long distance telephone operator/supervisor for Northwestern Bell , retiring from AT&T in 1992 after 20 years of service. She owned two gift shops, The Hawaiian Connection in Bandana Square in St. Paul and The Country Bird House in Harmony. She also worked in the Harmony tourism industry.

She had a love for playing the accordion, crocheting, bird watching, music, playing bingo, traveling (taking several trips to Hawaii), Tom Hanks’s movies, watching game shows (her favorite Wheel of Fortune), watching golf, Twins, Vikings and Green Bay Packers lose, the ocean, collecting seashells, Hummels and beanie babies.

Evelyn was a proud grandmother to Jenny, Beth, John, Joleen, Jill, Tom, Emily, Bre, Jimmy Lee, Christy, Michelle, Mike, Danny, Becky and Abbie and a great-grandmother to Joe, Hunter, Lilliana and Evan.

Evelyn is an inspiration to all who knew her. She is deeply loved and will be missed. Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched. She had a strong faith in God. In her final days, she knew He was calling her to heaven.